Hobbies and Pastimes

Thanks for submitting this image which has a very impactful composition. The bright centre draws the eye immediately, and the details of the crowd, edge to edge, fill the frame with storytelling content. I like the grain and feel it fits the mood of the moment. Congratulations on top ten!

Thanks for submitting this image which I feel sums up pastimes very well, with multiple references. I appreciate the moment captured - the tension of the ball in the air (with just a little movement which I find works very well), with the knee slide and the tension in the faces. I like the line of three subjects and feel it adds to the readability of the frame. Congratulations on top ten!

Thank you for submitting such an original and beautiful frame. I love all the technical choices here: the focus on the rocket in the sky; the softness of the subjects and the story of them photographing the moment; and the detail and toning in the clouds. Considering the shape of the frame, it's interesting that you've chosen to include the left hand side camera, which I feel works very well. I'm less sure of the small details on the right side edge which personally I find a little distracting (although I fully appreciate the centre composition of the rocket). Nonetheless this is certainly one of the very best images in my opinion. Congratulations on third place!

Thanks for submitting such a strong image. It's an immediately impactful frame, with such tension not only in the movement captured, but in the balance between the stillness of the body and the swing of the arms and club. The photograph really feels like the moment. I love the toning and the composition, with the head above the foliage and the club moving into the clouds. Congratulations on top ten!

Thank you for submitting this beautiful photograph. It stood out immediately to me because of the original subject matter, immersive composition, natural contrast and gentle toning. I love the mood of this frame - the intense concentration in such a still scene. The light and shadows work so well with all the detail in the frame and I fully appreciate the narrow aperture choice and focal length. It makes me smile to imagine a beehive amongst nettles and the need for protective clothing amongst so much potential sting. I find this image full of character and would happily have it on the wall. Congratulations on first place!

Thank you for submitting such a wonderful portrait. It grabbed me immediately as a striking and original fit for the brief. I love the editorial and slightly unexpected feel of the image. The subject's mood and character come through very well. The brightness of the book adds a touch of humour. I love the detail of the heart tattoo juxtaposed with what appears to be a lovely story. The clock is a lovely touch in the composition, allowing the negative space to give the subject room to breathe. Congratulations on second place!

Thanks for submitting this image which is a very impressive capture! I particularly love the perspective and details captured, really bringing drama and tension to the frame with the kicked up dirt and facial expressions. The black and white toning and the aperture choice serve to foreground the movement rather than distract with other details. Congratulations on top ten!

Thanks for submitting this image which has a wonderful composition and mood. I love the variety of sizes of subject and how much subject separation there is. I love the detail in the rocks and the sea. I can really feel the balance of rest and action. The toning is exquisite. Congratulations on top ten!

Thank you for submitting such a vibrant image. It's full of colour and movement, with the black background really allowing the colour to stand out. I appreciate the shapes of the hair and the paint as they both move. I also appreciate that the frame captures the full profile of the model. Congratulations.

Thanks for submitting this image which I find very striking. I particularly love the size of the painting, placed with importance in the centre of the frame, but reduced in stature by its size. I love how the people fill the bottom half of the frame. I wonder if I'd have personally preferred the frame without the attention grabbing white at the top, but nonetheless I find this a very pleasing composition. Congratulations.

Thanks for submitting this image which made me stop and pay attention right away! I appreciate the compositional balance of the crowd, the diver and the photographer - showing a variety of activity in one frame. The position of the diver acts as a line between the other elements. I find it an original and surprising frame. I'm not sure I needed quite as much space on the left compared to the right. I do appreciate the colour tones too. Congratulations on top ten!

Thank you for submitting this image which I found myself very much drawn to. I love the textures of the grasses and the feathers and appreciate the slight anonymity of the feathers over the face and the figures moving towards the back of the frame. There's a sense of mystery in the frame which I find beautiful. Congratulations.

Thanks for submitting this image which I feel is an excellent capture of the feeling of taking part in the sport. It's full of energy, movement and tension. The technical choices of shutter speed and aperture capture the moment in full detail. I appreciated the colour palette too. I personally would have liked a little more space on the left, to see the splash in full and feel the possibility of further movement in that direction. Congratulations.

Thank you for submitting this image which stood out to me as a pleasing composition right away. I appreciate the neutral colour tones and the negative space, emphasising the environmental context of the activity. I can feel the waiting around and the cold! The technical choices give pleasing details of the snow in the foreground and background. Congratulations.